Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to provide an update on the Northwest Territories participation in the 2007 Canada Winter Games which ended in Whitehorse on March 10th.

As Members are aware, these are the first Canada Games held north of 60 and the first to feature a cooperative partnership between the territories to support this national celebration of sport, youth and culture.

I can report, without hesitation, that our pan-north approach to the games was a huge success and we have demonstrated to the rest of Canada that the North is a vibrant and dynamic part of the country. Team NWT sent over 250 athletes, coaches, youth ambassadors, traditional game athletes and mission staff from 27 communities, making the 2007 team our largest contingent ever.

During the two weeks of the games, our athletes tested their strengths against the best the country has to offer. Some, like Brendan Green of Hay River, triumphed and came away with a gold medal in cross-country skiing.

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Others, like our women's hockey team, thrilled the North in their games against Yukon and Prince Edward Island.

And still others went home knowing that although victory eluded them, they had given it their all and that they could feel proud of their accomplishments.

Our Dene and Inuit games athletes also thrilled spectators from across Canada and the North with their strength and agility in competing against their northern neighbours in the traditional games that are such an important part of our heritage.

Our youth ambassadors were fabulous representatives of the Northwest Territories. They volunteered with the host society in a wide range of activities and each and every area demonstrated that the youth from across the North have great strength, great character and will be strong leaders in the future.

Mr. Speaker, as Members may recall, our participation in the Canada Games program began nearly a year ago, on April 10, 2006, when representatives from the three territories lit their individual torches to begin the Canada Games Torch Relay at the Canadian forces base Alert, Nunavut.

From that date to February 15, 2007, when the Northwest Territories torch was featured at the opening of the NWT Games in Fort Simpson, the torch relay passed through every single community in the Northwest Territories on its way to Whitehorse.

Mr. Speaker, our participation in the Canada games also featured some of the best Northwest Territories artists and performers available. I would like to congratulate my colleagues, the Ministers of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Education, Culture and Employment, for their support of this program.

The unprecedented television coverage of the games meant that many of these individuals received national

exposure and played to audiences across Canada. I was particularly impressed by the Paulatuk drummers who rose at 2:30 in the morning on March 6th to play live on CTV's Canada AM.

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Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to note the success of the NWT House. This was a suggestion made by the Members of the Legislative Assembly during our fall 2006 briefings on the games.

The NWT House was a drop-in centre, entertainment venue, tourism and business information outlet and all-around great place to be during the games. It was a great success and one that will, I am sure, will be talked about by visitors and residents for a long time to come.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my thanks to the volunteers and the staff who made these games a good success. You have demonstrated to Canada that the North is a great place to live and a great place to work. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

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